Movable floating boat anchorage



July-21, 1970 G. o. ATLAS MOVABLE FLOATING BOAT ANCHORAGE Filed Nov. 20, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 21, 1970 s. o. ATLAS MOVABLE FLOATING BOAT ANCHORAGE 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1968 INVENZ'OK 'aleflwl lms 1: Trams "United States Patent 3,521,588 MOVABLE FLOATING BOAT ANCHORAGE Gerald D. Atlas, 2940 W. Balmoral, Chicago, Ill. 60625 Filed Nov. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 777,349 Int. Cl. B6311 35/00 U.S. Cl. 114-5 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A movable floating boat anchorage of modular con struction for a multiplicity of boats, the modules of such anchorage providing therebetween individual boat slips. The corresponding inner end portions of the modules have substantially identical configuration in plan view and in side-by-side abutment with respect to each other to permit various arrangements of the modules, i.e., with the modules defining a circular anchorage in plan view or of longitudinal formation or other forms and arrangements as conditions may require.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Multiple boat anchorages of the type hereinafter described and claimed are classified in Class 9, which pertains to boats and buoys.

The multiple floating boat anchorage of this invention provides modules of like construction and form secured together in a predetermined arrangement and including within their interior a suitable and effective buoyant material functioning to maintain the modules in floating condition with their top surface a predetermined distance above the water surface. Corresponding inner ends of the modules are of identical shape in plan view such, for example, hexagonal, to permit the modules to be placed with their inner end portions in side-by-side relation to divide the anchorage into a plurality of individual boat slips.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed. The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multiple boat anchorage of modular construction embodied in the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional detailed view of one of the modules embodied in the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional detailed view taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detailed view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional detailed view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional detailed view taken substantially on line 6--6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detailed view of the end of each module as indicated on line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional detailed view taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a sectional detailed view taken substantially on line 9-9 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a sectional detailed view taken substantially on line 10-10 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detailed view taken substantially on line 1111 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detailed view of a turnbuckle construction embodied in the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a multiple boat anchorage of modular construction, showing a modified arrangement of the modules.

In FIG. 1 the modules of the multiple boat anchorage ice are each indicated at 15. Each of such modules are of substantially the same construction and shape. The descrip tion to follow with respect to one module will be applicable to all of the modules making up the boat anchorage.

In this connection each module comprises a frame 16 which defines the shape of the module. Each frame comprises substantially L shaped bars 17 of light metal construction, and which bars when assembled together define the frame of the module as comprising an outer end portion 18 and an inner end portion 19. The frame bars 17 are reinforced by cross bars 17.

The outer end portion 18 of the frame 16 in plan view is substantially rectangular in form. The inner end portion of the frame 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 is sub-' stantially hexagonal in plan view providing opposite sides 20 which diverge outwardly with respect to each other from their point of junction, indicated at 20', with the adjacent end of the rectangular end portion 18. The forward end portion of the frame 16 indicated at 21 has its side frame bars 21' converging toward each other from their point of junction, indicated at 22, with the frame bars 17. The outer ends of the frame bars 21' are joined together by the frame bars 22'.

' The various elements of the frame are preferably welded together with the result that a substantial rigid light-weight structural iron frame is provided by each module.

The frame of each module is enclosed within a shell 23 formed of suitable plastic material such as polyester. This shell encloses the entire frame with the exception of the bottom thereof.

The shell has placed or formed therein a suitable buoyant material 23' which may be placed or blown therein until a proper buoyancy is obtained to maintain the module in floating condition with the top thereof a suitable distance above the water surface. Such buoyant material is fireproof plastic material, such as Styrofoam.

Between the abutting side walls 24 of the modules there is arranged in a suitable manner a pad 25' formed of rubber or other cushioning material which serves the purpose of absorbing any noise which would otherwise result between the modules when moved under action of the water in which the anchorage is floating.

The modules are secured together in the desired arrangement to form a multiple boat anchorage of modular construction. To accomplish this I provide in the opposite side walls 24 of the modules an upper row of openings 25 and a lower row of openings 26. The openings 25 are in registration with each other, as are the openings 26.

In each of the openings 25 and 26 is secured the end portion 28 of a metal tube 29 welded to an adjacent frame bar 27 as at 30 (FIG. 11). Fitted into this tube 29 is the end portion of a rubber or plastic pipe 31. Such pipe extends through the module and provides a conduit for a cable 35. In one of the modules such as shown in FIG. 2 the ends 35' of the pipe communicate as at 32 with a box 33.

The cable 35 extends through the pipes 31 with the ends of the cable terminating into a turnbuckle 36 comprising the threaded shanks 37 which thread into sleeves 38. Suitable hexagonal nuts 39 are provided to receive a suitable wrench whereby the turnbuckle may be adjusted to tightly draw the ends of the cables 35 toward each other to thus bind the modules together in the formation in which they have been arranged, with their side walls 24 in abutting relation, in which position of the side walls the end portions 18 of the modules will extend in a general direction with respect to each other to provide the boat slips 36', FIG. 1.

The box 33 (one for each turnbuckle) has a cover 33' which is exposed through the top wall of the inner end portion of the module. Such cover is suitably hinged as at 34 to the adjacent frame bar of the frame 16. By adjusting each turnbuckle the modules can be tightly and securely bound together.

At the outer end portion 41 of each of the modules there is provided a bumper indicated at 42 (FIG. 7). This bumper 42 includes a bumper plate 43 of pliable material to protect the end portion of the module from damage by contact with the boat. The bumper plate 43 is secured over the adjacent portion of the shell 23, and is attached to the frame 16 by suitable bolts 44.

It is intended that the frame 16 be of such material as will be light weight in construction yet sufiiciently durable to withstand rough useage thereof when in use.

In FIG. 1 I have shown the modules arranged in a circular formation providing, as will be noted from FIG. 1, a multiple of slips 36. The center of the boat anchorage is open and may be utilized as a swimming pool.

In addition a suitable canpoy (not shown) may be arranged over the hub-like portion of the anchorage and the opening may be closed by a suitable non-skid flooring (not shown) and used as a patio.

In FIG. 13 the modules are arranged in alternate longitudinal relation with respect to each other.

The two designs of the modules as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 are merely suggestive of the various designs which can be formed by the modules.

Finally, the anchorage may be suitaby anchored in place by the use of various types of anchors. I have not shown the method of anchoring as the same constitutes no part of the present invention.

Each module may be provided with suitable boat cleats 45 (FIGS. 1 and 13) to which the boats arranged in the slips may be tied.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I provide a unique multiple floating boat anchorage of modular construction to accommodate a multiplicity of boats.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A boat anchorage for a multiplicity of boats comprising a plurality of modules bound together in a predetermined pattern, said modules having corresponding inner end portions each of which has a planar surface, two diverging side walls extending from said surface to a plane parallel to said surface, two converging sidewalls extending from said plane with corresponding side walls thereof in side-by-side abutment, said modules also having outer end portions formed substantially rectangular in plan view and extending outwardly from said converging side walls of said inner end portions to provide a multiplicity of boat slips.

2. The boat anchorage defined in claim 1 in which the inner end portions permit the modules to be positioned in different arrangements with respect to each other.

3. The boat anchorage defined in claim 1 in which the modules each have a filling of buoyant material.

4. The boat anchorage defined in claim 2 in which each module has a filling of buoyant material.

5. The boat anchorage defined in claim 1 in which each module comprises a frame confined within a plastic shell, and a buoyant filling in said shell.

6. The boat anchorage defined in claim 1 in which the means for securing the modules together comprises a cable extending through the inner end portion of the modules and a turnbuckle associated with said cable for drawing the same to tightly secure the modules together.

7. The boat anchorage defined in claim 3 in which the means for securing the modules together'comprises a cable extending through the inner end portion of the modules and a turnbuckle associated with said cable for drawing the same to tightly secure the modules together.

8. The boat anchorage defined in claim 4 in which the means for securing the modules together comprises a cable extending through the inner end portion of the modules and a turnbuckle associated with said cable for drawing the same to tightly secure the modules together.

9. The boat anchorage defined in claim 1 wherein the abutting side walls of said inner end portions of each module has disposed therebetween a rubber pad.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TRYGVE M. BLIX, Primary Examiner 

